《My Brother's Best Friend》Chapter 43

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As the confetti and bucket of ice water crashes over my head, I don't think I've ever been so proud of myself.

I can't hear anything from all of the screaming. I'm being passed around from my teammates left and right, being smacked around and hugged as the trophy is passed over to coach.

He sends me a wide grin and passes it over for me to hold onto as I'm lifted onto two shoulders of guys I can't see. It's so crowded, and my vision is blurry from all of my tears.

I did it.

Mom, I did it.

The trophy is heavy in my hands, but I don't want to let go of it even for a second. This is a night I will never forget.

I see my dad going crazy in the stands along with Richard, their hats thrown off and Maddie right beside them. She's staring directly at me, and I can see how proud she is as she gives me two thumbs up.

"Let's fucking go!" Ethan smacks me on the back when I'm finally on the ground again, pulling me in for a hug. Now that Maddie and I are done we seemed to have made up. Not fully, but we're getting there.

I know ending things with us was for the best, but even still my eyes keep being taken back to hers. I remember after last game when I came home to her wearing nothing but my jersey, and now I'll be going home to...

My dad.

At least i'm not alone, and I'm so grateful my dad is back, but I can't help but feel like something is missing. I'm missing her, and I don't know if that's ever going to go away.

I've never been heartbroken before, and I know it takes time, so I just have to let this heal. This feeling will go away between us. I just have to wait it out.

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I go to head towards the locker room to shower, but I'm stopped by a man in a pin striped suit. I don't recognize him, but he's got a big smile on his face.

"Cameron." He sticks his hand out and I shake it firmly. "I'm Lucas Byers. Rumor has it you're interested in becoming a Penn State lion?"

My heart leaps into my throat.

I can't breathe.

I didn't realize how badly I wanted this until it's actually happening. I wasn't going to apply because of Maddie, and because I wanted to go to school near her for the most part, but suddenly I get it. I get why she chose to end things.

This has been my dream since I was little, and I think it might be coming true.

"Uh, yes. Yes sir." I stammer. "It's been my dream since I was a kid."

"Well, I'd love to make that happen." He says. "We'll be in touch this week, alright?"

I'm speechless as he walks off the field, and I laugh in disbelief, throwing my helmet down onto the gravel when I see my dad and Richard leaving the stands, Maddie close behind.

"Dad!" I scream, and I can't help the tears running on my face. "Dad. I'm going to be a lion!"

My dads eyes grow wide. He's in utter disbelief before he starts to freak out with me when he realizes it's true. "Holy hell!" He's laughing so much as he holds me tightly in a hug, pulling away so he can give Richard and Mary a hug as well. "My kid's going to be a lion!"

Maddie is standing back by the bleachers, allowing me to have this moment with my father. I quickly excuse myself and wrap her into my arms when I reach her, pulling her close to my chest.

"I know." I tell her when she gets a questioning look on her face, and then I kiss her lips because I never got to do it for the last time. I need to savor her, remember her, I need to soak every ounce of her in before I accept that this is over.

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She grabs onto the sides of my face, panting heavily when I finally pull away.

"I'm sorry." I breathe against her lips. "I just wanted to tell you thank you, for everything, and I understand why you did it. I..." I trail off, scanning her eyes once more. "I shouldn't have kissed you, but Maddie... in five years." I sigh again, and she's blinking away tears. "I've been in love with you for years, and that isn't changing. I understand you want this time to find ourselves, and I get that, but in five years, you won't be able to get rid of me."

"I hope not." She sniffles. "Now go, celebrate! I think my mom is already planning an after party at our house for everyone. I'll see you there."

I clutch onto her hips, trying to remember the way they feel before I finally let go and nod my head.

Mark is walking into the locker rooms in front of us, clutching onto his shoulder. He got injured during the first quarter and couldn't even play for the rest of the game, and I can't help but call out to him.

"What?" He seethes.

"Karma sure is a bitch, isn't it?" I laugh. "I didn't even have to punch you! Number 22 did it for me!"

"Shut the fuck up." He grumbles, throwing open the doors to the school in anger before he disappears.

I tuck a curl of Maddie's hair behind her ear, and I instantly regret doing it. Going back to friends is going to be hard as hell, but it's for the best. I know that it is.

At least I think.

"Oh, guess what?" She raises her eyebrows, and that same little grin goes onto her face that I love. The grin that tells me that she's keeping something exciting from me. "I may or may not have gotten the highest PSAT score in the junior class."

I fight the urge to kiss her. It takes everything I I have not to pull her close. Instead I just smile down at her, and that only seems to get to her more.

"I would say I'm surprised, but I'm not." I say. "Congratulations, Maddie."

"Thank you." She gushes. "With these scores I could go anywhere. Maybe I could go to Yale, or even Harvard for that matter!"

I can see those dreams spark alive in her eyes, and suddenly I fall even more in love with her than I was before. I want the best for her, just like she wants the best for me, and that's why we have to end things. We need to chase our dreams.

"I have no doubt in my mind that you'll accomplish anything you set your mind to." I tell her and smirk down at her again, but it clearly gets to her more than I thought.

She clears her throat and steps back away from me, letting out a sigh and looking up into the night sky. I could stare at her like this forever, but if I do I'll end up doing something I'll probably regret.

Like be an idiot and kiss her again.

"Okay." I sigh, and slowly turn away to walk back towards our parents. "I'll see you at your house."

I'm halfway there when she calls my name out softly. I think I'm imagining things, but she calls it again, and I finally turn around to look at her.

"Five years." She repeats, and I feel a jolt of excitement burst through me. "I can't wait."

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